Time to drown my sorrows in the best Bergdorf Goodman has to offer. Helmut Lang and Jimmy Choo, here I come.
Chapter 16: Henderson
Well, I've gone and mucked things up already. I didn't even have to try.
She just … she protested a little too much.
And it's certainly not reasonable that she would have come here simply for me. Why would she do that?
Why'd I kiss her?
Oh right, because I haven't been able to think about anything but her for the past two weeks. I can't be daft enough to let her slip away again. "Let's just make this clear. You're not interested in a part at The Edison, correct? Good. You are not getting a part. There is no part for you. Not even if you begged. Feel free to beg for other things, though, because I'd be willing to consider other favors."
She stares at me for a beat. Then two. Finally, she laughs.
Phew.
"I never really thought about an actual part. All I thought about was seeing you again. It's been such a long time since I felt like I could really be myself. And you seemed to like me for me. You even took care of me. You didn't have to, and you still did."
There's a weight behind her words, but now is not the time to process it. "I can't believe I walked out without asking to see you again."
"I can't believe I let them push you out the door. I've been thinking about you ever since."
I lean in and kiss her again. She tastes like a sweet fruit that I will never, ever tire of sampling. "And I still can't believe you're here."
"And I can't believe the two of you are standing down here, making out like teenagers, when we've still got nine bajillion people left to audition." Grayson's jovial voice is a reminder that I've got work to do.
I look at my watch. Grayson's right. We'll be here at least four more hours. "I'm so sorry. I …" I trail off, not knowing what to say.
Tabitha's face falls for a second. "Of course you do. Silly me thinking I would waltz in there and you'd drop everything for me."
"He sort of did. You guys have been down here sucking face for at least fifteen minutes. Maybe more."
I roll my eyes at Grayson before turning back to Tabitha. "I'm here all night. After we're done with these infernal auditions, we've got to try and make heads or tails of it all. And it's going to be even worse. I wasn't focused before because of you, and now there's no way I can concentrate." An idea strikes. "Gray, what would you think if Tabitha sat in? She's got an ear for music, obviously, and with the way I've been, a third set of eyes wouldn't be a bad idea."
She looks at me, a small smile spreading on her face. "You'd trust me to make decisions?"
Grayson laughs. "God, no, but we'll allow you to voice an opinion. And then we'll ignore you and do what we want."
Tabitha frowns slightly.
I lift her chin gently. "Your time here is limited, and this may be the only way I can see you today."
She tries to pout, folding her arms over her chest, but I can see the smile breaking through. God, she's adorable.
"Please," I add, knowing that she needs the push.
Tabitha throws up her hands. "Okay, fine. But I'll have you know, I am a faithful watcher of all things reality TV, likeAmerican IdolandThe Voice. Oh, andHollywood Dance Off!, naturally. I want to be the evil judge. In the Sassy Cats, I was never the mean one. That was always Callie and sometimes Daphne. Angie was the driven one. Mandy was the super nice one, and I was the ditzy blonde. I want to go full-on Callie now. It's my turn to be smart and cunning. Well, at least to act like I'm smart." She shrugs helplessly.
I start laughing, pulling her into a hug. "We don't judge. We keep a neutral expression on our face and thank them for coming in, no matter how good—or bad—they are."
She leans back, wrinkling her nose. "Well, what fun is that?"
I tap her on her cute button nose. "And now you know why I want to stick a fork in my eye."
"Okay, lovebirds. Can we get back in there? The day isn't getting any shorter." With that, Grayson takes the stairs two at a time. That man should not have any more energy drinks today.
"Are … are you okay with me staying here?" She drops her gaze.
